Should a convicted prisoner who is admitted at hospital receive visitors?

Should a convicted prisoner who is admitted at hospital receive visitors?

Section 55 of Prison’s Act states “If a prisoner is seriously ill, desires to be visited by any relation or friend, the officer in charge or medical officer may give an order in writing for the admission of such relation or friend if he considers it advisable.”

Hence, if any family member is informed of the hospitalization of a prisoner, he or she should contact the prison authorities to have access and where there is denial of access, he or she should lodge a complaint with the ministry of interior for redress.

The three months bar to visitors after conviction is not only archaic but could be waived in case of serious illness.